Cookbook stand construction

ABSTRACT

A stand for holding an opened cookbook in upright readable position behind a transparent front panel which protects the book from cooking splatters. The front panel is supported in an inclined position by a pair of spaced hingedly mounted brackets. The brackets have upwardly extending wing members which are spaced rearwardly from the front panel by leg members. The leg members extend horizontally from the wing members and are connected to the front panel by hinges for movement of the brackets between open and folded positions. The leg and wing members support the bottom edge and back, respectively, of an opened book which may be inserted between the front panel and wing members when the brackets are in open position, to maintain the book in a slanted upright position for easy reading through the transparent front panel.

United States Patent [1 1 Sankey 51 Oct. 2, 1973 I COOKBOOK STAND CONSTRUCTION |76| Inventor: Richard W. Sankey, 1128 Lindy Lane Ave., S.W., North Canton, Ohio 44720 [22] Filed: Apr. 12,1972

[21] Appl. No.: 243,157

Primary Examiner-William H. Schultz A!t0rney1ohn H. Bishop et al.

[57] ABSTRACT A stand for holding an opened cookbook in upright readable position behind a transparent front panel which protects the book from cooking splatters. The front panel is supported in an inclined position by a pair of spaced hingedly mounted brackets. The brackets have upwardly extending wing members which are spaced rearwardly from the front panel by leg members. The leg members extend horizontally from the wing members and are connected to the front panel by hinges for movement of the brackets between open and folded positions. The leg and wing members support the bottom edge and back, respectively, of an opened book which may be inserted between the front panel and wing members when the brackets are in open position, to maintain the book in a slanted upright position for easy reading through the transparent front panel.

7 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures COOKBOOK STAND CONSTRUCTION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The invention relates to a bookstand and in particular to a stand for holding a cookbook in readable position behind a protective splatter-proof transparent front panel. The stand has a pair of hinged brackets which support a cookbook behind the front panel and which are foldable to provide convenient storage and assembly of the stand.

2. Description of the Prior Art There are numerous stands for supporting books in open readable position which permit the readers hands to be free for other purposes. Many such stands have a shelf or platform extending outwardly from the bottom of a slanted back for supporting a book and permitting the book pages to be turned when necessary.

Many housewives and cooks prepare some meals and certain foods with the aid of recipe in a cookbook. It is desirable to support the cookbook in open readable position so that the cooks hands are free to prepare the food. Cookbooks supported on usual bookstands become soiled and smeared from food splatters after repeated usage.

It is desirable therefore to provide a stand construction which holds a cookbook in open readable position and which protects the book from food splatters.

One such cookbook stand which has been constructed to eliminate this splattering problem is made of clear plastic material and formed into a general sinusoidal-shape. The cookbook is inserted between the vertical extending curved portions and thus is protected from splattering. Such a construction, however, is extremely bulky and difficult to store by the housewife in the kitchen where cabinet space usually is at a minimum.

No other bookstand construction of which I am aware has provided a stand for supporting a cookbook behind a splatter-proof shield which may be folded into a compact unit for shipment and storage, which is of a simple and inexpensive construction and which eliminates the problems with known prior structures.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION clined position and supporting a book in open readable book and which cooperate with the weight of the inserted book to maintain the brackets in proper support,- ing position; providing a cookbook stand which is formed of inexpensive, sturdy and durable transparent plastic, and which can be washed and maintained easily in sanitary condition; providing a cookbook stand which when stored can be hung on a wall and used to display a decorative picture enabling the stand to be compatible with the decor of the kitchen; and providing a cookbook stand which solves problems of prior structures in a simple, convenient and inexpensive manner.

These objectives and advantages are obtained by the cookbook stand construction, the general nature of which may be stated as including front panel means having a rear surface and being formed of a transparent material; a pair of spaced bracket means comprising wing means and leg means, the leg means extending horizontally forwardly from the wing means; hinge means connecting the bracket means to the front panel means rear surface for movement of the bracket means between open and folded positions and for supporting the panel means in generally upright position; the hinge means include a pair of spaced bosses formed on the panel means rear surface, a boss formed on the forward end of each bracket leg means, and pin means pivotally connecting each panel means boss to a bracket leg means boss; the bracket means forming a channel-like opening between the front panel means rear surface and the wing means when the bracket means are in open position, for receiving an opened book inserted into the opening; the leg means having top edges which support the bottom of a book and the wing means having forward edges which support the back of a book, with the opened book being readable through the transparent front panel means; and stop means formed on the bracket leg means engageable with the front panel means rear surface limiting movement of the bracket means toward open position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING A preferred embodiment of the invention illustrative of the best mode in which Applicant has contemplated applying the principles. is set forth in the following description and shown in the drawing and is particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims.

FIG. I is a perspective view of the cookbook stand supporting a cookbook shown in dot-dash lines;

FIG. 2 is an end elevation of the cookbook stand resting on a surface in open, usable position;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevation of the cookbook stand;

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the cookbook stand shown in FIGS. I3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary rear elevational view similar to FIG. 3, showing the cookbook stand in folded position; 7

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary elevational view of the stand in folded position, looking in the direction of arrows 6-6, FIG. 5; 5

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on lines '7-7, FIG. 2; and

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on line 8-8, FIG. 2, showing the bracket hinge in fully open position (solid lines) and in partially folded position (dot-dash lines).

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the drawing.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The cookbook stand, indicated generally at 1 (FIG. I), includes a front panel or shield 2, supported in an upright rearwardly inclined position by a pair of spaced brackets 3 and 4. A usual cookbook 5 is shown in dotdash lines supported by brackets 3 and 4 in open position behind panel 2.

Panel 2 preferably is shaped rectangularly, and is formed of transparent material such as acrylonitrile plastic. Panel 2 has front and rear surfaces 6 and 7, respectively, and upper and lower edges 6 and 9, respectively.

Brackets 3 and 4 are similar to each other, and each includes a wing member lit) and a leg member H extending horizontally forwardly from wing lit). Brackets 3 and 4 may be molded of plastic material similar to panel 2 with leg members 11 formed integral with wing members 10.

Wings may be triangularly shaped, as shown in FIG. 2, and have sloped front edges 12 and bottom edges 13, with front edges 12 being generally parallel to front panel 2. Bottom edges 13 together with bottom edges 14 of legs it support stand l on a kitchen counter top 15 or other level surface.

The top edges 16 of legs 11 together with front edges 12 of Wings 10 form a cradle-like support for holding book 5 in open, upright readable position behind panel 2. Top edges 16 support the bottom of book 5, and the front edges 12 of wings 10 support the back portion of book 5, maintaining book 5 in the desired angle for easy reading.

Bosses 17 are formed at the forward ends of legs 11 and extend upwardly rearwardly having a slope generally parallel to that of front edges 12 of Wings 10. A bore 18 is formed in each boss 17 and a protruding hinge pin 19 is fixed in bore 18.

A pair of spaced bosses 20 are formed integrally on the rear surface 7 of panel 2 spaced a short distance upwardly from lower panel edge 9. Hinge pins 19 extend into bores 21 formed in bosses 20, pivotally mounting brackets 3 and 4 on front panel 2. Pins 19 preferably are assembled with a force-fit in bores 21 so that they are rotatable with respect to bosses 26, yet have sufficient frictional engagement with bosses 26 to be held therein. Likewise, pins 19 may be fixed in bosses 20 and rotatably mounted within leg bosses 17 to form the hinge means.

Bosses 20 have rounded domed tops 22 so that a book 5 when inserted into the channel-like opening 23 formed between wings l0 and panel 2 (FIG. 2), will slide easily over bosses 26 onto top edges 16 of legs l l.

Leg bosses 17 (FIG. 8) each have a rounded portion 24 which tapers into front and rear straight portions 25 and 26, respectively. A straight side 27 extends between portions 25 and 26, and forms a sharp corner 28 at the junction with front portion 25.

Rounded portions 24 together with tapered front portions 25 permit brackets 3 and 4 to be pivoted inwardly toward each other (Arrow A, FIG. 8) and moved to folded position, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. Tapered portions 25 and corners 28 form stops engageable with panel rear surface 7 which prevent brackets 3 and 4 from swinging beyond the open position shown.

An important feature of the invention is the movement of brackets 3 and 4 from the open, book supporting position shown in FIGS. 1-4, to the compact forward position shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. In folded position, brackets 3 and 4 are folded one on top of the other, with the bottommost wing llt) resting partly against rear surface 7 of panel 2 (FIG. 6). Overlapping Wings 10 are located generally in the center of panel 2 with legs 11 and leg bosses l7 lying within the confines of panel 2 (FIG. 5).

Thus, in folded position stand 1 is a compact unit with brackets 3 and 4 folding generally flat against panel 2 providing a relatively flat unit, as is shown in FIG. 6, which can be stored conveniently in a drawer, cabinet or behind kitchen food storage cannisters or the like.

A hole 29 is formed in panel 2 adjacent upper edge 8 for hanging stand 1 in folded position on a kitchen cabinet or wall by a nail, hook, etc., providing another convenient manner for storing stand 1. The flat, relatively thin shape of stand 1 in folded position enables stand 1 to be stored by such wall mounting, thereby saving cabinet and drawer space for other items.

A picture, calendar or decorative print can be inserted between folded brackets 3 and 4 and panel 2, when stand 1 is in folded position and suspended by a hook through hole 29, enabling stand 1 to complement and blend with the decor of the kitchen. The decorative insert is removed easily when stand 1 is unfolded for use in holding a cookbook and is reinserted before returning the folded stand to its wall mounting.

Brackets 3 and 4, when in open position, extend rearwardly from panel 2 and in a slightly inwardly extending direction toward each other as is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, and indicated by angle B. Tapered front portions 25 and corners 28 of leg bosses 17 (FIG. 8) stop brackets 3 and 4 from extending beyond open position by engaging rear surface 7 of panel 2.

The inwardly extending position of brackets 3 and 4 determined by the bracket leg stop means helps maintain the brackets in open position. A book 5 when placed on brackets 3 and 4 as shown in FIG. 1, will have a tendency to return to closed position and move rearwardly between spaced wings 10, but is prevented from doing so by panel 2 contacting the extended pages.

This rearward force or movement by book 5 attempts to force Wings 10 further apart, but Wings 10 are prevented from moving outwardly by the stop portions 25 and 28 of bosses l7. Brackets 3 and 4, thus are forceably maintained in open position by the held book, yet are prevented from going beyond open position by the stop portions.

Accordingly, the cookbook stand construction 1 has several advantageous features. Panel 2, brackets 3 and 4 and the hinges are formed of lightweight plastic and are molded or formed easily and then assembled on hinge pins 19 providing a durable and sturdy construction. Likewise, there are no sharp corners of metal or wood to scratch and mar kitchen cabinets or equipment, or which could injure a person using the stand. The plastic can be cleaned easily by washing without rusting or becoming discolored in order to maintain the unit sanitary and attractive.

Another important advantage is that the brackets serve both as the supports for a cookbook as well as for the front panel which protects the cookbook from food splatters, and the stand can be folded into a compact unit for easy storage in a drawer or mounted on a wall with a decorative picture therein.

The slight inturned location of the brackets 3 and 4 when in open position, together with the bracket stop means maintains the brackets in open position and cooperates with front panel 2 to retain a book in upright readable position. Furthermore, the sloped mounting of panel 2 on brackets 3 and 4i enables book 5 to be read easily from a standing, working position when stand 1 is resting upon a kitchen cabinet top or table.

Thus, the new cookbook stand construction is simplified, provides an effective, sanitary, inexpensive and efficient device for holding an open cookbook in upright readable position, and provides for a clear front panel to protect the open cookbook from cooking splatters; provides a cookbook stand which is folded easily into a compact unit for storage; provides a cookbook stand achieving all the enumerated objectives; and provides for eliminating difficulties encountered with prior devices and solves problems and obtains new results in the art.

in the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness and understanding; but no unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirements of the prior art, because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed.

Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention is by way of example, and the scope of the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described.

Having now described the features, discoveries and principles of the invention, the manner in which the new cookbook stand unit is constructed and used, the characteristics of the new construction, and the advantageous, new and useful results obtained; and new and useful structures, devices, elements, arrangements, parts, and combination are set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A cookbook stand including front panel means having a rear surface and being formed ofa transparent material; a pair of spaced bracket means comprising wing means and leg means, said leg means extending horizontally forwardly from said wing means; hinge means connecting the bracket means to the front panel means rear surface for movement of the bracket means between open and folded positions and for supporting the panel means in generally upright position when in open position; said hinge means being connected to the forward end of the leg means and the panel means rear surface; the bracket means forming a channel-like opening between said front panel means rear surface and said wing means when said bracket means are in open position for receiving an opened book inserted into said opening; and the leg means having top edges which support the bottom of a book and the wing means having forward edges which support the back of a book, with the opened book being readable through the transparent front panel means.

2. The construction defined in claim 1 in which the front panel means is sloped rearwardly toward the wing means; and in which the wing means front edges generally are parallel to said front panel means.

3. The construction defined in claim 1 in which the front panel means has a lower edge; in which a pair of spaced bosses are formed on the panel means rear surface adjacent said lower edge; in which a boss is formed on the forward end of each bracket leg means; in which pin means extend between the leg means bosses and panel means bosses forming said hinge means; and in which the pin means are rotatably mounted within either of said leg means and panel means bosses and fixed within the other of said leg means and panel means bosses.

4. The construction defined in claim 3 in which the upper ends of said panel means bosses are domed.

5. The construction defined in claim 1 in which the bracket leg means are formed with stop means; and in which said stop means are engageable with the front panel means rear surface limiting movement of the bracket means to provide a stable open position.

6. The construction defined in claim 1 in which the wing means lie in overlaping relationship with respect to each other when in folded position; and in which said overlapping wing means lie adjacent the front panel means rear surface in folded position.

'7. The construction defined in claim 1 in which the pair of bracket leg means extend rearwardly from the panel means; and in which said pair of bracket leg means extend at angles directed slightly inwardly toward each other when in open position. 

1. A cookbook stand including front panel means having a rear surface and being fOrmed of a transparent material; a pair of spaced bracket means comprising wing means and leg means, said leg means extending horizontally forwardly from said wing means; hinge means connecting the bracket means to the front panel means rear surface for movement of the bracket means between open and folded positions and for supporting the panel means in generally upright position when in open position; said hinge means being connected to the forward end of the leg means and the panel means rear surface; the bracket means forming a channel-like opening between said front panel means rear surface and said wing means when said bracket means are in open position for receiving an opened book inserted into said opening; and the leg means having top edges which support the bottom of a book and the wing means having forward edges which support the back of a book, with the opened book being readable through the transparent front panel means.
 2. The construction defined in claim 1 in which the front panel means is sloped rearwardly toward the wing means; and in which the wing means front edges generally are parallel to said front panel means.
 3. The construction defined in claim 1 in which the front panel means has a lower edge; in which a pair of spaced bosses are formed on the panel means rear surface adjacent said lower edge; in which a boss is formed on the forward end of each bracket leg means; in which pin means extend between the leg means bosses and panel means bosses forming said hinge means; and in which the pin means are rotatably mounted within either of said leg means and panel means bosses and fixed within the other of said leg means and panel means bosses.
 4. The construction defined in claim 3 in which the upper ends of said panel means bosses are domed.
 5. The construction defined in claim 1 in which the bracket leg means are formed with stop means; and in which said stop means are engageable with the front panel means rear surface limiting movement of the bracket means to provide a stable open position.
 6. The construction defined in claim 1 in which the wing means lie in overlaping relationship with respect to each other when in folded position; and in which said overlapping wing means lie adjacent the front panel means rear surface in folded position.
 7. The construction defined in claim 1 in which the pair of bracket leg means extend rearwardly from the panel means; and in which said pair of bracket leg means extend at angles directed slightly inwardly toward each other when in open position. 